Chapter 32

Bette played with the ends of Tina’s hair for comfort. Tina pulled back and dried her eyes. She giggled a little, but it didn’t last long. She pulled Bette closer by her elastic of her pj pants. She licked her lips and smiled at Bette through her reddened eyes.

“Bette Porter, you are the light that makes my darkness disappear!”

Tina smiled and placed a kiss on Bette’s lips. She pulled back and saw a tear that was running from the corner of Bette’s eye to the corner of her lips. She wiped it away with her thumb. She kissed the place she’d just wiped.

“Bette, no more tears. Smiles and love only.”

“Tina, these are tears of joy.”

“Okay, well tears of joy are okay.”

Bette giggled. She pulled Tina closer again. They stood there on the corner of two paths. Their future and their past. One had to be faced before the other could be determined. Their journey was far from even beginning, let alone ending. It was full of hope, and lessons learned. They took each other hand in hand as they walked back to the house. It was a slow walk. A silent one as well. When they reached the front door Bette turned to Tina.

“Tina, I want to carry you across the thresh hold.”

Tina smiled, but looked confused.

“What? Why? We didn’t just get married.”

“No, but it signifies new beginnings, and that’s what this is. I didn’t get the chance to do it the first time; and I want to do it this time.”

Tina with out a word placed one arm around Bette’s neck. Bette effortlessly hoisted Tina up and opened the door. She took Tina’s lips in her own before crossing the thresh hold, as she did she smiled into Tina’s lips. They’d crossed into a new beginning. A new Bette and Tina. Bette gently placed Tina on the couch and laid on top of her never breaking contact with her lips. She finally pulled back when the need for air became too much. She ran her finger from Tina’s forehead, down her nose, to her chin. She placed her thumb on one side of her chin, and her fingers on the other side and pulled Tina into a quick kiss.

“Tina, I don’t care where this takes us. I just want it to be with you. With my daughter. With your daughter. Our own family. Always. Everything we’d wished for and more. I have never loved anyone more than I have loved you. Never. I know that I have my days, I know I’m half the person you are. Your bigger than me. I just need to make sure your feet are stuck to the ground before we move forward.”

“They’re cemented.”

Bette smiled. Took Tina’s lips in her own. That night they made love on the floor of their living room while their daughter lied wrapped into each others arms. If anything came from that night it was love. Four people who couldn’t love each other more. Love is an infinite resource, but when it’s with the person you love the most it’s forever. Sometimes there are bumps, but if it’s meant to be; love will prevail. Moral of the story, run all you want, love is relentless.